Amphilius rheophilus Daget, 1959
photo by Palmer, R.

Family:  Amphiliidae (Loach catfishes), subfamily: Amphiliinae
Max. size:  12.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: upper tributaries of the rivers Senegal, Gambia, Corubal, Konkouré, Little Scarcies and Niger; also reported (only once) from the River Loffa in Guinea (Ref. 57128). Also in the Jong/Pampana River (Ref. 13331)
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Diagnosis: dorsal-fin base distinctly ahead of pelvic-fin insertions; distance from head to dorsal fin less than 20% of standard length; interorbital space about 35% of head length; caudal-peduncle long and relatively slender, its length over twice its depth, ; caudal fin forked, with lower lobe distinctly longer than upper lobe; maxillary barbell rather short, less than 60% of head length; snout length about 60% of head length; branchiostegal membrane weakly notched on midventral line (Ref. 57128). Description: short and depressed head ending in a rather long snout; eyes positioned near posterior end of head; mouth subterminal and rather narrow, its width slightly more than half the head width; barbels rather short, maxillary pair reaching to eye; pectoral and pelvic fins broad and well developed; adipose fin short and rounded; a well developed, crenulated fringe at base of caudal fin; 6+7 principal caudal fin rays (Ref. 57128). Coloration: back normally dark brown or black, with up to 5 lighter cross-bars (Ref. 57128).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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